Iran ready to knock S. Korea out

PressTV - The Iranian Football Coach has focused on training his players to combat South Korea's quick counter attacking style of play.

Amir Ghalenoei told Fars news agency on Saturday that the team has honed its strengths and is prepared for the dreaded penalty shoot-out should the teams go the distance.

Ghalenoei added that the players are ready for any possible situation that might occur during the knockout match.

"We know South Korea very well and we have already played against them twice in qualifying rounds," Ghalenoei said. "But each match is different, however, and this time, the circumstances are more critical because whoever loses is out."

Meanwhile, South Korean coach Pim Verbeek, who can't defy the statistics, agrees that the three time Iranian champions deserve to enter the Asian Cup quarterfinal.

"Since we arrived in Kuala Lumpur, most people have told me that Iran is the strongest team," Verbeek said. "Iran has a lot of experience and has played very well so far."

However, he adds "They may have better players than us, but it doesn't mean they are the stronger team. I think we will win."

Verbeek believes his youthful side has performed better than the score lines suggest in the group stage and had improved with each match.

The continental soccer powers are meeting in the quarter finals for the fourth consecutive time since the eight-team knock-out round was introduced to the Asian Cup: Iran won 6-2 in 1996, the Koreans won 2-1 in golden goal extra time at Lebanon in 2000 and Iran won 4-3 at China in 2004.